NAGPUR, 4 November 2025: In a major boost to Maharashtra’s cotton sector, over 45,200 farmers across 1,490 villages have been trained to tackle the recurring pink bollworm problem under Syngenta India’s month-long awareness and capacity-building campaign. The initiative, covering districts such as Yavatmal, Wardha, Akola, Nanded, Amravati and Parbhani, has helped farmers record a notable decline in pest infestations this season, saving hundreds of crores in potential crop losses.
Maharashtra, which contributes nearly one-third of India’s total cotton production, has frequently battled pink bollworm-related yield drops. The campaign focused on early pest detection, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, and preventive crop protection measures. Partnering with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Yavatmal, Akola and Wardha, along with district agriculture departments and Zila Parishads, Syngenta ensured a coordinated approach that reached even the most remote farming communities.
As part of the outreach, three district-level workshops with 600 farmers and 41 village-level sessions with 2,000 participants were conducted. “The programme combined classroom sessions with on-field demonstrations, helping farmers directly apply what they learned,” said Susheel Kumar, Managing Director, Syngenta India. “We distributed 3,000 pheromone traps and 900 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, along with awareness booklets and mobile training vans to extend the campaign’s reach,” he added.
Farmers have reported significant relief this year. “The pink bollworm infestation has been much lower,” said Ganesh Nanote, a cotton grower from Akola. “Earlier, we would lose nearly half our lint yield before noticing the pest. Now, with early detection training, we can act in time and prevent major losses.”
The pink bollworm, though small, poses a major economic challenge to India’s ₹10 lakh crore cotton economy. It damages lint quality and can cause an estimated 3.75 per cent annual cotton loss — around 0.64 million tonnes — translating to ₹500–800 crore in economic damage.
Experts believe that consistent farmer training can curb this threat. “If regular monitoring, field sanitation and IPM adoption continue, losses can reduce sharply,” said Dr KC Ravi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Syngenta India. “Training builds confidence among farmers to take preventive action instead of reacting after the damage.”
By combining awareness, scientific training and field execution, Syngenta’s Maharashtra initiative is emerging as a model for community-led pest management — one that other cotton-producing states may soon replicate.
Writer: Jagdish Kumar